John Locke

Question 1

What is the major work by Locke which we studied this semester?

Answer 1

Second Treatise on Government

Question 2

Individualism

Answer 2

Belief that individual persons are the primary subjects of moral judgments

Question 3

According to Locke, what is every individual entitled to?

Answer 3

Life. Liberty, Property

Question 4

What is the state of nature like according to Locke?

Answer 4

Free and independent
All are equal in power
no natural subordination or innate desire to harm
POSSESS NATURAL RIGHTS – life, liberty, property

Question 5

What is natural law?

Answer 5

law of God which all are able to obey

Question 6

What are the laws of nature?

Answer 6

• We cannot harm the life, health, liberty or possessions of any person
• Can act in one’s own interest provided it does not harm others

Question 7

executive power of the law of nature

Answer 7

We have a right in the state of nature to punish those who harm our life, liberty, or property

Question 8

Why does Locke’s state of nature become a state of war?

Answer 8

We have a right in the state of nature to punish those who harm our life, liberty, or property, but enforcement is in the hands of the individuals because there is no political authority. Punishment becomes arbitrary, vengeful, disproportionate

Question 9

Individuals give up rights to do what to the state? (3)

Answer 9

1. Make laws
2. Enforce laws and punish transgressors
3. Make war and peace

Question 10

When is forceful rebellion justified according to Locke?

Answer 10

Government fails to enforce the law of nature or protect natural rights

Question 11

What is Locke’s justification for private property if the Earth was given in common to all by God?

Answer 11

beings in common to use
But to be of any use, natural elements must be “appropriated”
One’s person is one’s own property and no one else has a right to it
One’s labor is also the rightful property of the laborer
anything appropriated from the earth through one’s labor is “mixed” with that labor, and thus property of the laborer
Justified, not theft, because something was added to nature

Question 12

What are Locke’s two limitations to private property and what do they mean?

Answer 12

1. Lockean proviso - There must be “enough, and as good, left in common for others”
2. Spoilage limitation - We can take only as much as we can enjoy of something before it spoils

Question 13

Why is a state necessary according to Locke? (3)

Answer 13

1. state must protect natural rights to life and property
2. state is a requirement because money is a convention, and conventions cannot be sustained without a state
3. State is necessary not only for security but also for capitalism

Question 14

What is the “duty of charity”

Answer 14

poor have a right to take from the rich if they can’t survive otherwise